The athletes competing in the third South American Youth Games in Argentina is finding the going tough.
The athletes so far have all failed to advance to the medal round of their respective disciplines at the third edition of the ongoing South American Youth Games in Argentina.
In 3×3 basketball, the four-man team of Kimol Grimmond, Carmelo Man-son-Hing, Matthew Arrindell and Traovis Lewis lost their match yesterday against Venezuela 8-21,
They will play Brazil in their final Group C match today from 10:20hrs.
In swimming, Paul Mahaica (56.79s), and Leon Seaton Jr (54.88) finished in the top three of their respective semi-finals of the men’s 100m freestyle event, however their times were not good enough to see them move on to the finals.
Vladimir Woodroffe will take to the pool for his first event today.
In table tennis, Jonathan Van Lange impressed during his run in the boy’s singles event. After seeing off Panama’s David Herrera 4 – 0 (12 – 10, 11-5, 9 – 11, 11 – 4, 11 – 5), Van Lange bowed out in the round-of-16, going down in straight sets to Ecuador Diego Piguave (7 – 11, 5 – 11, 6 – 11, 7 11).
Van Lange’s male counterpart Krystian Sahadeo lost to Colombia Daniel Guete 8-11, 5-11, 4-11, and 5-11.
Jasmine Billingy and Thuraia Thomas missed out on the round-of-16 in the girls’ singles. Billingy lost to Puerto Rico’s Alejandro Preito 4-11, 4-11, 5-11, 9-11 and Thomas to Lia Rodriguez of Panama 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 8-11 and 11-8.
Coach Idi Lewis admitted that the players were nervous and said he expected them to perform better in the team event.
“Jasmine and Krystian had some issues getting in for different reasons nerves being a big factor since it’s their first time on such a big stage but I’m expecting better performances from them in the team events,” said the former Caribbean junior champion. “I was very pleased and impressed by Thuraia Thomas who lost a very hard and close match against Lia Rodriquez from Panama in the round of 32,” said Lewis.
“We’re in a very tough group with Brazil, Argentina and Panama with two advancing to the quarter finals,” he explained.
Guyana is being represented by 15 athletes between the ages of 14 and 17 in five disciplines, boxing, badminton, basketball, table tennis and swimming during the Developmental Games which got underway on Thursday and concludes on May 8.
